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Austin trio Fastball set to perform at the McQuain Amphitheater

Austin trio Fastball is appearing  Aug. 9 at the McQuain Amphitheater in Morgantown.  The free concert is part of the Ruby Summer Concert Series. Music begins at 7 p.m.  Fastball’s Tony Scalzo will be live on WVRC radio on Thursday.  The band’s ninth studio album, Sonic Ranch has been out less than one month, and so far, has garnered among the strongest reviews of the band’s 30-year career.    In response to the growing buzz for the new Fastball album, the band is expected to add more American tour dates.   A recent album ...

100 years of entertainment: Wilson takes show on the road to celebrate the Met

Dave Wilson and WAJR took their “Talk of the Town” radio show on the road Wednesday.  The daily talk news show was broadcast live from Morgantown’s Metropolitan Theatre for the 100th anniversary of the theater, which  opened July 24, 1924.  Broadcasting from the stage, Wilson talked with Met manager Joe Kaehler about the history of the Met, including the initiative to reopen it and refurbish it so it could be used again.  Kaehler said the renovations include high-tech sound and light systems, but the personality of the historic theater is still ...

‘Twisters’ is fun on the surface but misses the mark

When “Twister” released in 1996, I went to my local theater to see it. I got a popcorn and a Coke and sat one row from the back so I could really enjoy the surround sound that had recently been upgraded.   I had an amazing time, so much so that I went to see it again the very next day. Unfortunately, maybe back-to-back viewings weren’t great for an eventual critic because, on a rewatch, it didn’t hold up particularly well.   Still, the movie was fun, and despite some of my problems with it, I still think it was a good time. But that did leave me slightly wary ...

Nashville singer-songwriter makes stop at The Village

The Village at Heritage Point held a special concert starring Nashville singer-songwriter, Kevin Major, earlier this month.  Major originally hails from Morgantown,  but moved 25 year ago to Nashville, Tenn., to hone his skills. He is best known for his storytelling that authentically weaves his heart and his home into his songs.  While in town for another show, Major planned a concert for the residents at The Village to visit his former high school English teacher,  Gwen Rosenbluth.  “What I remember from English class most of all is that all good ...

‘Find Me Falling’ falls flat by relying on tired tropes

My crush on Harry Connick Jr. started when I was in high school. He created the soundtrack to one of my favorite movies of all time, “When Harry Met Sally.” A year later, he made his film debut in “Memphis Belle,” and he’s been recording music and acting ever since.  I’ve loved following his career as both a musician and an actor, so I was interested to see him in the new Netflix film, “Find Me Falling,” by writer and director Stelana Kliris.  When John (Connick Jr.) finds that his latest album has had poor reception from both fans and critics, he decides ...

Nicole Riegel explores authenticity in music in her new film ‘Dandelion’

Nicole Riegel knows that when you’re from Appalachia, the region can have a hold on you. She explored that in her first film, “Holler,” and as her second film, “Dandelion,” is just out, she is looking at that again, this time through the lens of a musician.  In “Dandelion,” a young woman who goes by Dandelion decides to leave her home in Ohio to see if she can make a name for herself somewhere else. She goes to South Dakota for a motorcycle rally and while there, meets Casey, another musician. They have a musical and romantic affair, but she never loses her ...